Height of the back of the chair Width of the back of the chair at its widest point Thickness of the back of the chair Distance from the top of the back to the seat Length of the arms Distance from the arms to the floor Distance from the arms to the seat Length of the seat Width of the seat Depth of the seat cushion Distance from the floor to the lowest fabric edge (if you plan to include a skirt on your slipcover) Distance around the bottom circumference of the chair (if you plan to include a skirt)
For maximum durability, choose a fairly sturdy fabric, like denim, thicker cotton/hemp blends, canvas, or twill. [2] X Research source Fabric is sold in a wide variety of widths: 36 inches, 42 inches, 60 inches, and all the way up to widths over 100 inches. For slipcovers, it’s best to buy one of the wider widths (60 inches or more) because the wider the fabric is, the less need you’ll have to sew separate pieces of fabric together. Some chairs are bigger than others, but as a very general rule, about four to six yards of a 60-inch-wide fabric should be enough for a standard armchair.
Freezer paper is relatively inexpensive and thick enough not to accidentally tear, though it’s also harder to see through. Swedish tracing paper is easy to see through and doesn’t tend to tear accidentally, but it’s also relatively expensive. Medical exam table paper is easy to see through and very inexpensive, but it’s also thinner and tends to wrinkle easily.
Start by carefully drawing the back, front, seat, and arms of your chair on your tracing paper. Compare your tracings with the measurements initially you took for guidance. If you plan to put a skirt on the chair, you can also draw a pattern for the skirt onto the tracing paper. You’ll need a strip of fabric as long as the distance around the base of the chair and wide enough to hang from the bottom of the chair to the floor.
If you don’t clean the chair before covering it, the chair can get musty after you’ve added the slipcover.
Use a pair of scissors and/or an X-acto knife to cut out the paper patterns for your chair. Be careful and take your time with this step–mistakes here can lead to imperfections in your slipcover.
Carefully trace the edge of each piece, then cut the shapes with a pair of fabric scissors. There are many, many ways to mark your fabric without leaving a permanent mark; the most common include: Disappearing ink fabric pens/markers Tailor’s wax (essentially a crayon) Washable colored pencils Tailor’s chalk Tracing wheel Sharpies, markers, etc. (use only lightly on the back side of reasonably thick fabrics)
Pin and sew the cut-out for the front of the chair onto each of the arm cut-outs where they would naturally meet.
When you’re done, you should have a piece of baggy fabric that fits over the back and arms of your chair.
The rear edge of the seat should meet the “back” of the cutout, while the sides should meet the “arm” sleeves.
It should hang so that it is near the floor, but not pooled on it. If possible, try to position the spot where the skirt material crosses over itself in the back of the slipcover where it won’t be easily seen.
Gently sit down; your slipcover should feel comfortable and should conform easily to the weight of your body. If it doesn’t you may need to rip out and re-sew any seams that fit irregularly.
A few fabric ideas that should work well for this project: A canvas drop cloth (preferably not stained with paint, etc. ) An old bed sheet An old quilt Fabric purchased from a store (thicker cotton blends work well)
A few fabric ideas that should work well for this project: A canvas drop cloth (preferably not stained with paint, etc. ) An old bed sheet An old quilt Fabric purchased from a store (thicker cotton blends work well)
Lay your fabric over the top of the chair (with the center of the fabric lined up with the highest point on the chair) so that it covers the entire chair completely on all sides and drapes to the floor.
If desired, use fabric adhesive (available at most craft and fabric stores) to stick your slipcover in place. Doing so will hold your slipcover over the chair snugly and prevent it from falling, bunching, or slipping off. Use the adhesive to adhere the rear of the new slipcover material to the top of the original chair fabric. You’ll need to lift up the slipcover fabric and work underneath it to do this, so it can help to have a friend help you here by pointing out where to put adhesive. Luckily, fabric adhesive is usually very forgiving before it sets. If you make a mistake, just pull the fabric up and reposition it as needed. Different adhesive products will have different drying times, but, in general, most fabric glues take about two to four hours to set. [5] X Research source Fabric adhesives can usually be washed safely after a few days. Check the product’s label for more specific instructions.
Ideally, you want this “skirt” to hang an inch or two above the floor. Take care to cut in a straight line as you go. If you make a noticeable mistake, just trim the slipcover back a few inches and glue a long, skinny strip of material around the bottom to make a new skirt.
Take these measurements carefully. If you’re spending your hard-earned money on a slipcover, you will want it to fit well.
Most slipcovers range in price from about $20 to as much as $150, depending on the material of the slipcover and the size of the chair. Have your measurements handy as you shop because most slipcovers will be advertised as fitting certain sizes of chair. If you’re shopping at a brick and mortar store and need help choosing the right size slipcover, talk to an employee. When in doubt, buy a slipcover slightly bigger than you think you’ll need. You can always pull, sew, and trim a slipcover to make it smaller, but it’s difficult to make a slipcover bigger. For maximum durability, pick a slipcover made from a fairly sturdy fabric, like denim, thicker cotton/hemp blends, canvas, or twill. [6] X Research source
It’s also beneficial to periodically remove the slipcover and vacuum the chair again before replacing it to prevent the chair from getting musty underneath its cover.
Pull and tie any strings or ribbons on the front or back of the cover. These ties are added to keep the slipcover tight and secured in place. Use a tight knot, but not one that’s too tight to undo, as your slipcover may change size and shape slightly with repeated use and washing.
